Lots of talk but very little action

Detroit Red Wings general manager Ken Holland says there’s nothing to report when it comes to contract talks involving the team’s free agents, except that there’s a lot of talking.

Sergei Fedorov, Darren McCarty, Jason Woolley and Steve Yzerman are set to become free agents on July 1. Only Yzerman is a certainty to return while the others may take the opportunity to test the market.

Fedorov turned down a $50-million, five year offer earlier in the season. The team’s latest offer is reportedly for more money but less years.

“We’re trying to get a feel for what it’s going to take to get it done,” Holland tells the Detroit Free Press. “But we’re not close to anything.”

As for McCarty, the team is said to be offering a salary similar to the $1.95-million he made this past sesaon.

Woolley earned around $1.3-million this year and the Red Wings say they would like to re-sign him at a reasonable price.

Yzerman made $8.5-million this season and while Holland says the captain will be back next year, talks have not started on a new deal.

Ken Holland has to do all he can to resign Federov and McCarty no matter what the cost.If they don’t win the Cup again next year,they won’t be able to at least for another 5 years after.Ken has to realize this is Steve’s,Chris’s,CuJo’s,Hull’s,and Igor’s last hurrah for the Cup.After this he has to look to the future and rebuild with Fischer,Zetterberg,Daytsuk,and Legace.I’m quite certain the old timers will retire when the 2004 lockout occurs.

Sergei stay away from New York.Trust me,all the money they’ll throw at you isn’t worth it.